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Medical Marijuana Facts

Isn’t smoking harmful? Is smoking medical marijuana bad for me?

For patients who don’t want to smoke medical marijuana, there are a lot of alternative options, including edibles, extracts, and topical extracts and sprays. Ultimately, the best method of delivery should be determined by the patient and their medical provider. If the best treatment option does require smoking, vaporizers that remove any potentially harmful effects of smoking are an excellent tool. Ultimately, we recommend talking with your healthcare provider about the medical marijuana option that’s best for you and visiting the Herbal Remedies shop for application options. Our knowledgeable staff will help you understand your treatment options and select the right product for your needs.

Even though medical marijuana is legal in Colorado, isn’t it still illegal under federal law? Should I be worried about federal prosecution?

Although Colorado has legalized the medical use of marijuana, federal law does not recognize or protect medicinal marijuana possession or use and the federal government can prosecute people who use it. Luckily, there is little concern of federal prosecution for medical marijuana patients. Unless a patient is involved with activities that fall outside Colorado law, it is extremely unlikely that a medical marijuana patient will be prosecuted. To protect yourself, be sure to purchase your medical marijuana from a registered dispensary, such as Herbal Remedies, avoid sharing your medical marijuana with anyone else, and do not ever sell or transport your medical marijuana across state lines.

Are there side effects from taking medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana is an extremely versatile and effective treatment option for managing pain and the side effects of countless medical conditions, including HIV/AIDs, cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, anxiety, and more. Like all medication, medical marijuana may cause certain side effects in some people. Thankfully, medical marijuana side effects tend to be mild and significantly more manageable than side effects associated with many traditional medicines. While medical marijuana affects everyone differently, you may experience one or more of the following side effects: hunger, dry mouth, drowsiness, red eyes, dizziness, or short-term memory loss.

It’s important to understand that there are many different medical marijuana treatment options available. If you experience any adverse effects from a medical marijuana product, please visit Herbal Remedies and talk with our knowledgeable and experienced staff about finding an alternative treatment option.

Why should I bother to get a medical marijuana card when I can purchase recreational marijuana in Colorado?

Although recreational marijuana is readily available in Colorado without obtaining a medical marijuana card, medical grade marijuana treatment options are the superior choice for most patients for a variety of reasons, including:

– You’ll pay significantly less in taxes for medical marijuana than for recreational marijuana

– Medical Marijuana offers a larger variety of bud to choose from than recreational marijuana, allowing you to find the best treatment option for your needs.

– Bud and edibles available to medical patients can be much more potent, allowing you to receive the dose you require for maximum benefit

– Medical marijuana patients are allowed to purchase up to two ounces at once, instead of just one.

How do I get a medical marijuana card?

Obtaining your medical marijuana card, also called a Red Card, is generally a simple and easy process. There are a lot of doctors and clinics in Colorado that provide medical marijuana evaluations – in fact, the number of options can be overwhelming. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of recommended medical marijuana doctors and clinics.

To apply for a medical marijuana card, you will need to be a resident of the state of Colorado with a valid social security number. Make sure to bring your state-issued Colorado ID to your scheduled physician’s consultation as well as enough cash to pay the consultation fee. Fill out theApplication for Medical Marijuana Card, or be prepared to fill it out when you get to the clinic. Following your medical consultation, you will need to get your application notarized. Some evaluation clinics will have a notary on staff and who can notarize your paperwork for a small fee.

If you like, designate a caregiver by filling out thisCaregiver Acknowledgment form. This is optional, and something that can be done at any time. Then, simply submit your completed notarized application, the completed and signed Physician’s Certification Form, a photocopy of your Colorado ID, and check or money order to cover the application fee of $15. Submit your paperwork in person by putting all of your forms into one sealed envelope, and dropping it in the drop box located at the southeast corner of Building C at the Colorado Department of Public Health, Monday through Friday, 7am-6pm: 710 S. Ash Street, Denver, CO 80246-1530.

Alternatively, you can send your documents via certified mail to:

CDPHEHSV-86084300 Cherry Creek Drive SouthDenver, CO 80246-1530

How long will it take for me to receive my medical card in the mail?

Mailing your medical marijuana card paperwork via certified mail will provide you with a tracking number which will allow you to look your number up on the USPS website and see when your application was received by the state. CDPHE updates their website daily to show what applications they are processing based on the date received, so knowing when they received your paperwork will give you a better idea of where your application is in the process.

In general, it takes 3-4 weeks to receive a medical marijuana card in mail. If it is the first time you’ve applied for a medical marijuana card in Colorado, your application paperwork can serve as a temporary license for up to 35 days. If you are a patient renewing your license, you are unable to use your paperwork as temporary license. Those renewing are able to renew up to 60 days prior to their expiration date, in order to receive the new card before the old card expires.

There is also an option to receive your card in approximately 2-3 days by registering online. Here’ how:

Step 1: Contact your physician and ask that they submit your physician certification using the new online system.

Step 2: Once your physician has submitted your physician certification online, login and complete your registration online at:medicalmarijuana.colorado.gov. Once the electronic application is submitted to the registry, eligible applicants will be approved and can print their own card in one week or less rather than waiting up to 35 days using the paper registration process.

When applying online you will pay the $15.00 processing fee and a $1.10 online transaction fee which is a total of $16.10. When applying by paper you will pay the $15.00 processing fee and a $3.30 certified mailing fee which is a total of $18.30.

Are there limits to how much medical marijuana I can buy?

Colorado residents with a Medical Marijuana Card(link to medical marijuana card facts) are able to purchase up to two ounces of medical marijuana at a time. Anyone who goes through the process of obtained a medical card has the opportunity to discuss getting a prescription for more than the recommended two ounces with the doctor seen. At that point the doctor has the ability to recommend determining per patient if their condition requires having the option of purchases more.

What are Qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Colorado?

Qualifying conditions to obtaining a medical marijuana card include:

Glaucoma

Cancer

AIDS/HIV

Severe/Chronic Pain

Seizures/Epilepsy

Cachexia

Severe Nausea

Persistent Muscle Spasms

Arthritis

Degenerative Disc Disease

Fibromyalgia

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Migraines

Neuropathy

Reflux Disorders

Multiple Sclerosis

What is a primary medical marijuana center?

A primary medical marijuana center is a dispensary that you have allowed to grow your medical marijuana plants for you. Each Colorado patient is allowed to grow up to six plants unless told otherwise by doctor. In exchange for growing these plants for you most medical dispensaries will give member benefit or discount. These discounts or benefits will vary from center to center.

I know that THC is the ingredient in marijuana that gets users high. But recently, I’ve been hearing about another cannabinoid in marijuana called CBD. What is it?

CBD is one of over 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. Out of all those compounds, CBD and THC are usually present in the highest concentrations, and are therefore the most recognized and studied. CBD and THC levels tend to vary among different plants. However, by using selective breeding techniques, cannabis breeders have managed to create varieties with high levels of CBD and next to zero levels of THC. Sometimes rare but have become more popular in recent years.

Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. While this makes CBD a poor choice for recreational users, it gives the chemical a significant advantage as a medicine, since health professionals prefer treatments with minimal side effects.

Although CBD and THC act on different pathways of the body, they have many of the same medical benefits. In addition, CBD reduces the negative effects of THC. Numerous studies suggest that CBD acts to reduce the intoxicating effects of THC, such as memory impairment and paranoia. CBD also appears to counteract the sleep-inducing effects of THC, which may explain why some strains of cannabis are known to increase alertness.Both CBD and THC have been found to present no risk of lethal overdose. However, to reduce potential side effects, medical users may be better off using cannabis with higher levels of CBD.

Why do some medical marijuana patients prefer vaporizing? Is it healthier?

Some doctors suggest that using a vaporizer is a healthier alternative to smoking. Vaporizers heat the material at a much lower temperature, so that the active compounds contained in the plant material produce an aromatic vapor (instead of smoke). Rather than burning the plant material, which can produce harmful by-products, this vapor contains virtually zero particulate matter and significantly reduced harmful gases. By avoiding burning the flower or concentrate, the user is able to achieve the same desired effects without the harmful side-effects of smoking.